COSTA MESA, Calif. — Based on previous experience, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers had low expectations for the opening of training camp in his new home. In 2003 and 2004 the Chargers held training camp north of here in Carson, California, at Cal State Dominguez; 2004 was Rivers’ rookie season.

“Literally, I think if you counted them there were about 12 bodies there,” Rivers said, smiling. “I’m being serious, so I wasn’t sure.”

That wasn’t the case on Sunday, as a little over 5,000 fans turned out for the opening of the Chargers’ training camp at their new facility, the Jack Hammett Sports Complex.

Fans shook hands with players as they entered the field, held signs welcoming them to Costa Mesa and waited after practice for players like Joey Bosa, Melvin Gordon, Antonio Gates and Rivers to sign autographs.

“There’s a lot of excitement, and I think too we have a lot of guys to be excited about,” Rivers said. “We have a lot of guys that fans recognize off the bat. We have a lot of good players all the way through [that] fans recognize and know, either through their college days or what they’ve done in the league.”

Some 5,000 fans turned out for the opening of Chargers’ training camp at their new facility in Costa Mesa. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Along with a new location, Sunday saw Anthony Lynn take the field as a head coach during training camp for the first time. Lynn said he was more excited than nervous, and appreciated the crowd on hand, some of which had made the roughly two-hour trip up from San Diego.